GMHBA Stadium | Geelong Football Club

The final stage of the GMHBA Stadium redevelopment at Kardinia Park in Geelong, Victoria involves the construction of a new grandstand and sports museum. Stage 5 works entail demolishing the existing Gary Ablett Terrace and Ford Stand to create a new 40,000-seat structure at the oval's north end. 

Significant improvements include interconnected public concourses, a large portion of covered seating, elite-level locker rooms, stadium management areas, broadcasting facilities, briefing rooms, function rooms and cricket broadcasting facilities. A major challenge of the redevelopment was managing the electrical infrastructure, previously located under the Gary Ablett Terrace. Through collaboration with the broader project team, we developed various staging options to address these challenges and facilitated the expedited installation of a new Powercore substation and main switchboards. 

We designed a new power system to support the upgraded southern scoreboard. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system will ensure the scoreboard remains operational in the event of a power outage, and the new fibre optic connections between the scoreboard and the control room enhance communication and control. 

Our specialist sports lighting team partnered with Kardinia Park Stadium Trust to upgrade the existing sports lighting to a cutting-edge LED system suitable for AFL broadcasts. The new lighting system enhances the fan experience by creating immersive, dramatic moments. The ability to instantly switch the lights on and off allows event organisers to engage the space with effects like making the lights twinkle across the roof after key events on the field or before a show.